Which bowing technique uses the wood side of the bow rather than the hair?

• A. Col legno
• B. Sul tasto
• C. Martelé
• D. Ricochet

Answer: (A)

Different bowing techniques change the sound by using different parts of the bow. Col legno uses the wood side of the bow, striking or tapping the strings with the stick, which produces a sharp, percussive timbre distinct from the normal hair-on-string tone.

Sul tasto, by contrast, keeps the hair on the string and plays over the fingerboard for a softer, singing color. Martelé is a heavy, accented stroke produced with the hair on the string, delivering a strong articulation. Ricochet is a bouncing bow stroke also performed with the hair on the string, creating rapid, light rebounds.

So the wood-side technique described here is col legno, which is why it’s the best answer.